Swamp Darners

One of the early dragonflies to start hunting the woodland ponds is the large Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros). In fact, I have only seen them in May and early June.

Swamp Darner

This chocolate brown dragonfly with the mint-colored rings and markings and its big blue eyes is fairly easy to identify.

Look for these big dragons working back and forth across vernal pools and any small body of water surrounded by woods. Look for the females laying eggs in the moss on rocks and old logs beside the water.